Sectional bath compartment



May 14, 1968 v L. OGARA ET AL SECTIONAL BATH COMPARTMENT 6 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed March 1, 1965 Fig.1

INVENTORS v. LAWRENCE O'GARA JAYS. ROSS Mayl4,1968 v v. 1.. OGARA s'rm.3,382,635

' sncnoun. BATH COMPARTMENT 7 Filed March 1,' 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet. 2

I M v INVENTORS y [I II'll V LAWRENCE O'GARA F1g.9 "I JAY 3, oss

ATTORNEY May 14, 1968 Filed March 1, 1965 V. L. O'GARA ET AL SECTIONALBATH COMPARTMENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 14, 1968 v. 1.. O'GARA ET ALSECTIONAL BATH COMPARTMENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 1, 1965Fllllllll 1 N VEN TOR Kym/J Jaw/ante 054/4 7 f; fa 34 //%rm ;.r

May 14, 1968 v. L. OGARA ET AL SECTIONAL BATH COMPARTMENT 6 Sheets-Sheet5 Filed March 1, 1965 d a w MW N e a a a) Nw f y 1968 v. 1.. OGARA ET AL3,382,635

SECTIONAL BATH COMPARTMENT Filed March 1, 1965 e Sheets-Sheet e Fad/nUnited States Patent 3,382,635 SECTIONAL BATH COMPARTMENT VenardLawrence OGara, Newport Beach, and Jay S. Ross, Beverly Hills, Calif.,assignors to Superior Laminates, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., acorporation of California Continuation-impart of application Ser. No.401,522, Oct. 5, 1964. This application Mar. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 446,446

14 Claims. (Cl. 52-270) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This inventionrelates to :a bathroom enclosure which is sectionalized. The sectionsare constructed to provide for a telescoping of the sections duringshipment. The sections are provided with flanges of a particularconsrtucso that resilient clips can be attached to the flanges to holdthe sections in a fixed relationship to one another.

This invention relates in general to bath enclosures, but relates morespecifically to a wall construction and the means for joining sectionsof a wall construction in order to provide a functionally successful anddecorative wall which may be shipped in sections. This application is acontinuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 401,522 filedOct. 5, 1964, now abandoned, entitled Sectional Bath Compartment. I

Although inexpensive metal shower units have been available for aconsiderable period of time, quality glass fiber reinforced plasticshower and tub assemblies in one piece units have only been availablefor a relatively short period of time. These units are made with thebase of the shower and the side enclosure walls as one monolithicstructure in order to avoid all possibility of leakage, and to avoid theneed for caulking in joints in an effort to prevent leakage.

Because such structure is so superior to the use of individual plasticor ceramic tile, tubs as well as showers are now available withmonolithic side walls attached. Thus, the unit is sent to theconstruction site, and after proper placement and attachment ofplumbing, it is completely finished, ready for the room walls to bebrought up into engagement 'with the edges of the enclosure.

However, such units are extremely bulky when packaged for shipment, andconsume a great volume of space in relationship to the relatively lowtotal weight. Hence, special rates apply for transporting of such bulkyitems in interstate commerce or by ship to foreign ports.

Therefore, it becomes desirable to produce the walls 0 such showerstalls and tubs in sections in order to nest the parts and thus securegreater weight-to-volume ratio. However, making the walls in sectionsreturns the walls to a composite construction, which is precisely thestructure which is normally inferior and the motivating factor in makingthe unitary monolithic structure originally.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a sectional bathenclosure having an improved joint structure providing essentially thewaterproof nature of a monolithic wall structure.

Attempts have been made to solve the composite structure problem towhich this invention is directed, by providing vertical sections unitedin corner areas with overlapping portions to prevent leakage. Suchjunctures are diificult to hold in tight relationship, and eventuallycollect foreign matter which stagnates to produce both sanitary problemsand odors. However, horizontal sections have been avoided because suchhorizontal sections produce unwanted seams that reduce the aestheticvalue of the installations and calls attention to the panel nature ofthe wall.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a wall panelconstruction which accentuates a horizontal abutment line and creates anenhancement of the design by making the horizontal abutment line anattractive part of the overall design.

For a full understanding of the invention, a detailed description of thepreferred embodiment of the sectional bath enclosure will now be givenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a shower stall embodying the principlesof this invention, as it appears in the process of assembly andinstallation;

FIG. 2 is a section taken long the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of a portion of a panel of FIG. 1, as taken alongthe line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section taken from FIG. 4, with a modification inthe form of a sealing gasket;

FIG. 6 is an oblique view of the assembled wall of the shower stall ofFIG. 1 taken from a viewpoint substantially at the bottom center of thestall shower and looking upwardly along a wall;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a spring retainerclip;

1 FIG. 8 is a second embodiment of a spring retainer 6 P;

FIG. 9 is a section taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention inassembled form;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section along the vertical planeindicated by the vertical line and arrow 11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a clip that is used at each juncture oftwo of the sections of the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a vertical section of the assembled shower sltrll taken asindicated by the line and arrow 13 in FIG.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of thestructure shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged section taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the second embodiment of the invention indismantled form which the sections nested together for transportation;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 1-8 is a section taken along the line 18-18 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in whichthe bottom section is a bath tub;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing how a retainerclip at a joint between two sections in FIG. 19 cooperate with theflanges of the two sections; and

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the flange of the upper section as seenalong the line 21-21 of FIG. 2 showing how the flange is provided with ashallow recess on its underside that leads to a slot in the flange.

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate the principles of the invention as applied to astall shower 10. However, these same principles will be applicable tothe building of similar type structures including a full bathtub andwainscote wall.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings the view is from the front opening of a stallshower as it is being installed. Either a door or a curtain will befitted to the shower when in actual use.

The stall shower 10 includes a base section 12 and three wall sections14, 15 and 16.

The base section 12 includes a pan 18 with a drain outlet 19. Basesection 12 has a side wall 21. FIGS. 4 and will aid in understanding theconstruction of side wall 21. Wall 21 is preferably integral with thepan 18, and has a top ledge 23 which is common in form to the top ledgesections of the three wall sections. The top ledge 23 includes a lateralportion 25 and a vertical portion 37. The vertical portion serves thepurpose of a nailing flange and abuts the supporting framing structure.A portion of the supporting framing structure is indicated by thereference character 28. A nail 29 is shown driven through the verticalportion 27 and into the framing member 28. Thus, the section, whether itbe the base section or a Wall section, is secured to the frame and thewall is spaced from the frame.

The purpose for the lateral portion 25 is to provide for the novelfeature of enabling a waterproof joint without the necessity ofelaborate caulking precautions. Each of the wall sections has a basesill 31 which sits upon the lateral portion 25 of the member therebelow,whether it is the base section 12 or a lower wall section. The FIG. 4illustrates the junction thus formed in either case, and is indicated byreference character 30. It is a lateral division line which extendsacross the enclosure. If water from a shower head, or otherwise, isdriven with great force against the resultant division line of junction30, it is conceivably possible that some will work back into thejunction beyond the seat portion. This is a relatively remotepossibility, because generally the bottom of the sill is smooth and willform a good seat with the ledge. However, imperfections can providewater access in some instances. If in fact an imperfect joint is formedand water is directed in such manner that it is possible to work pastthe joint, the water will not be able to go beyond the immediate area ofthe junction because the vertical portion 27 provides a deep well tohold a considerable amount of such water. Thus, if the junction doestake in water, it will remain in this well and gradually work back intothe enclosure.

In order to give further assurance against any leaking whatsoever, agasket 32, in the form of a fiat strip of resilient material, orpossibly a pre-positioned ribbon of caulking material, may be placed onthe ledge and be engaged by the sill in order to seal against any smallleakage opening. In either event, the improved joint structure of thisinvention makes absolutely impervious the union between the wallsections, in order to prevent deterioration behind the walls.

The wall sections are relatively thin, glass reinforced plastic as apreferable construction, and in order to avoid massive sections or extraexpense, they need not normally be reinforced for great physicalstrength. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that under ordinarymanufacturing techniques the registration of the wall sections will notnormally be perfect, and furthermore, unless special support provisionswere made, any pressure on the wall would permit the wall in thejunction area of the sill to move with respect to the ledge of thesupporting structure below.

To prevent relative movement, without penetrating the walls with nails,an improved clip construction 35 is em ployed to register the wallsections and hold them in such registration. Clip has a C section 36which is designed to clip down over the top of vertical portion 27. Itis then provided with a lip 37 in order to enable the C section to findthe edge of the vertical portion and slip down upon the section withoutexact initial registration. Furthermore, the clip 35 extends to a splitprong section 38. The sill 31 is provided wih a hole 39 to receive thesplit prong 38. Thus, the hole 39 may be located by a jig to establishthe correct distance between the hole 39 and the vertical wall of thewall section, and the prong 38 is positioned to establish a gaugedistance from the vertical portion 27 of the ledge. Thus, the wall ofthe upper section is positioned exactly with respect to the wall below.

Refer to FIGS. 7 and 8 for illustrations of two types of clips 35. TheFIG. 7 shows a fiat spring steel embodiment wherein the prong 38a issplit and the two halves are formed in opposite directions to present aresilient detent end. This end is engageable through a properly formedhole 39 and expandable to cause the clip to be secured to the sill.

In FIG. 7 a spring wire construction of like general form is provided,wherein the prong 38b is composed of two hook sections on the ends ofthe wires. These sections operate to hold the clip to the sill in themanner described with respect to FIG. 6.

When the wall sections are installed, the installer places the prong end38 into the hole 39, and then lowers the wall section into position. InFIG. 1, the drawing is intended to depict the situation wherein the wallsection is being lowered in such manner. When the workman installs thesection, the wall section being installed will block his vision of thejunction area, but by a reasonably careful alignment, the lip 37, of theclip 35 will find the upper edge of the vertical portion 27 and causethe described alignment. Thus, the installed section carries the clipinto position. This clip is placed to fall between stud locations. InFIGS. 4 and 5, therefore, nail 29 appears to be located with the clip,but in reality lies beyond. The sill 31 is provided with a raised relief40 in order to accommodate the physical dimensions of the clip 35.

The physical construction thus described provides a good and workablesectional bath enclosure which is entirely operative, but as thus fardisclosed the problem of aesthetic qualities remains unsolved. Thenatural reaction to a series of joints in a structure such as a bathenclosure tends to greatly downgrade its acceptability. The purchaserpreference is fora custom-installed structure which does not have theappearance of an afterthought or replacement unit. The diamond designconfiguration of this invention is used to accomplish this end, and yetprovide a sectional member which can be shipped economically. The designconfiguration is employed to conceal the effect of the lateral joint, byadapting it as part of the design.

In FIG. 1, the wall structure is shown to have a diamond configurationwherein a complete diamond 42 extends from the top to the bottom of theindividual wall section. Thus, there are produced result-ant triangularhalf-diamond sections 43 and 44. Refer to Wall section 16 for emphasisof this arrangement.

Refer then to FIG. 3, which is an enlarged partial end view of the wallsection 16. This view illustrates the fact that the wall of the section16 is not a flat wall, but rather that each of the triangular portionsof the diamond configuration is alternately convex or concave, and ineach instance, the opposite triangular section is of the oppositeconfiguration. Triangular section 44 embodies the reference point 47.Note in FIG. 3 that the point 47 is convex as compared to anintermediate point 45 at the end of full diamond section 42. Reference46 also is convex with respect to reference 45. Then, as previouslyindicated, the half-triangular section 43, being that opposite thesection 44, will be convex, and if a section along this line wereviewed, it would have the appearance of the reference 45.

The new result of this opposite convex and concave configuration is thatthe panels are greatly strengthened, but also at the junction of the twopanels, the half diamond triangles will meet in a definite shoulder areawhich produces a shadow effect.

Refer to FIG. 6 for an illustration of this emphasis of the union line.FIG. 6 is taken at an oblique angle, which may be likened to aperspective view. Thus, this view is from a viewpoint near the pan 18looking upwardly along the back wall. From this viewpoint, it is seenthat the sill of the wall panel produces .a shoulder 48 which closeswhat would otherwise be an opening. The drawings illustrate withreasonable accuracy the physical construction, although the actualdecorative effect of this construction can only be appreciated by actualuse of the full size structure. The joint section is not noticed as ajoint section, but appears to blend into an overall pattern of the wallas if an intended decorative feature. All awareness of sectionalconstruction is lost, and the enclosure takes on the full elegance of acustom installed original piece of equipment.

The second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. to 18 is a stallshower of the character described made in four separate sectionscomprising a bottom section 50, a second section 52 which is imposed onthe first section, a third section 54 which is imposed on the secondsection and a fourth section 55 which is imposed on the third section.Each of the sections is a Fiberglas laminate formed by a well knownmethod in which flock and a suitable binder are sprayed onto the outersurface of a male mold. The surface of the Fiberglas laminate that isthe exposed inner surface in the assembled structure has a smooth gelcoating that is formed by spraying the surface of the mold with apigmented polyester plastic before the Fiberglas panel is formed.

The outer surface of each section while it is on the male mold is coatedby a spraying operation with a layer of urethane foam which becomesintegral with the wall of the section and serves the dual purpose ofmaking the section wall relatively stiff and at the same time serving asa sound-absorbing medium. Preferably the Fiberglas laminate is of athickness of Ms to of an inch and the added layer of urethane foam is ofa thickness of A to of an inch.

The bottom section 50 has a downwardly dished bottom wall 56 which isintegral with two side walls 58 and a back wall 60. Preferably thebottom wall 56 is stiffened by offset radial bosses 62 separated byradial grooves 64 and for further stiffness and reinforcement a thicklayer 65 of the urethane foam is bonded to the underside of the bottomwall as indicated in section in FIG. 13. A layer 65 of the urethane foamis also bonded to the side and back walls of the bottom section as wellas to the side and back walls of the other sections. The bottom wall 56drains to a central drain port 66 which is provided with the usualplumbing fixtures (not shown) when the shower stall is completed.

The upper rim of the bottom section, i.e. the upper edges of the twoside walls 58 and the back wall 60 are formed with what may be termed anangular flange, generally designated 68, which, as best shown in FIG.15, has a ledge portion 70 with a terminal lip portion 72. This angularflange 68 is continued along the forward vertical edges of the two sidewalls 58.

The second section 52 of the stall structure has two side walls 58a anda back wall 60a, the third section 54 has two side walls 58b and a backwall 60b, and the fourth section has two side walls 580 and a back wall606.

Each of the three upper sect-ions 52, 54 and 55, like the bottom section50 has an angular flange 68 around its top edge comprising the upperedges of its back wall and two side walls and this angular flange iscontinued along the forward vertical edges of the two side walls of eachof the sections.

The bottom rim of each of the three upper sections 52, 54 and 55 isprovided with a simple outwardly turned right angular flange 74extending around the lower edges of its back wall and two side walls.Thus when the four sections are assembled as shown in FIGS. 10 and 13 abottom flange 74 nests into an angular flange 68 with the bottom flangeresting on the ledge portion 70 of the angular flange.

In the general manner heretofore described, a plurality of springretainers or clips 75 are employed at each of the horizontal jointsbetween the sections of the assembled stall structure. Preferably eachof the spring clips 75 is made of spring metal and is of theconstruction shown in FIG. 12.

Each clip 75 has the usual rearward arm 76 and a forward arm 78. Theforward arm 78 is slit and bent to form a lower metal finger 80 and anupper pair of fingers 82. The lower finger 80 is offset to form anupwardly projecting dimple or boss 84. In the manner heretoforedescribed, each of the lower right angular flanges 74 of the uppersections of the stall structure has locally offset portions (FIG. 11) atselected points to provide clearance for the lower fingers 80 of thespring clips 75. A feature of this second embodiment of the invention isthat each of the offset portions 85 is formed with a recess 86 on itsunderside which is dimensioned and positioned to receive the dimple orboss 84 of the corresponding clip 75 for positive engagement with theclip. Since the recess 86 may be formed by the molding operation, theprovision of the recess instead of a bore saves an operation to reducecost.

The procedure of assemblying and installing the stall structure may beas follows: First the bottom section 50 is installed and the lip portion72 of the angular flange 68 along the top rim of the section and alongthe two vertical edges of the section is nailed to the vertical studs 88of the building wall structure in the manner indicated in FIG. 11 whichshows a nail 90 extending through the lip portion 72 of an angularflange 68 into a stud 92. A suitable permanently resilient sealant 94(FIG. 11) is then placed on the ledge portion 70 of the flange 68, theapplied sealant being continuous around the top rim of the bottomsection and along the two forward vertical edges of the bottom section.The clips 75 are then slipped over the lip portion 72 of the angularflange at each of the predetermined points to cooperate with the offsetportions 85 of the lower flange 74 of the next section 52. The nextsection 52 is then placed in its assembled position by forcing thebottom flange of the section 52 into engagement with the fingers of theclip 75 with the boss 84 of each spring clip engaging the correspondingrecess 86 in the bottom flange 74 and then the lip portion 72 of thesection is nailed to the studding. In the same manner a third section 54is added to the second section and finally the fourth section 55 isadded to the third section.

When the interior walls of the building structure are plastered, theplaster mates with the assembled stall structure in the manner shown inFIG. 11. It can be seen in FIG. 11 that the plaster 95 overlaps the lipportion 72 of the angular flange 68 and abuts the ledge portion 70, theplaster being formed with fillet 96 to make a pleasing transition at theshoulder of the ledge portion 70. If the interior walls of the buildingare surfaced with sheet material such as wallboard, the sheet materialis nested into the angular flange 68 in the same manner.

To accommodate plumbing fixtures suitable apertures may be provided inthe assembly at various points. For example, FIG. 13 shows an aperture98 in a side wall of the section 54 and an aperture 100 in a side wallof the section 55 to accommodate plumbing fixtures shown in FIG. 10comprising a valve 102 and a shower head 104 respectively.

An important feature of the second embodiment of the invention is themanner in which the four sections of the bath enclosure may be nestedtogether compactly for economical storage and shipment. For this purposeeach of the four sections is tapered in plan with the width of thesection at the back wall of the section of shorter dimension than thewidth of the front open end of the section. For example, each sectionmay be narrower at its back wall by one inch than at its front open end.Also for the purpose of enabling the sections to nest together compactlythe section is of greater vertical dimension than the next section 52,the next section 52 is greater in vertical dimension, say by of an inchthan the section 54 and the section 54 is greater in vertical dimension,say by of an inch than the uppermost section 55. With respect to themanner in which the separate sections may be compactly assembled forstorage it is to be noted that each of the three upper sections 52, 54and forms a channel extending around its sides and back, one side wallof the channel being the angular flange 68 of the section and the otherside wall of the chamber being the lower flange or sill 74 of thesection. In the compact assembly shown in FIGS. 16-18, the outermostsection 55 embraces section 54 in the channel thereof; section 54embraces section 52 in the channel thereof; and section 52 embraces thebase section 50 in the channel thereof. As indicated in FIG. 17 the sidewalls of the nested assembly are relatively close together but as shownin FIG. 18 the back walls of the various sections are spaced furtherapart. Such a nested assembly may be packed in a carton of approximately24 x 36 x 42".

The third embodiment of the invention is a bath stall of the characterheretofore described that provides a bath tub. The structure shown inFIG. 19 comprises the usual four sections including a base section 105,a second section 106, a third section 107 and a fourth section 108.

The base section is in the form of a conventional bath tub that isprovided with a forwardly spaced dependent front wall 110. In the mannerheretofore described, each section is formed with an angular flange 68that extends around the top rim of the section and also extends alongthe front vertical edges of the side walls of the section. As may beseen in FIG. 20, each angular flange 68 has the usual ledge portion 70and the usual terminal lip portion 72. Each of the upper sections 106,107 and 108 is formed around its lower rim with the usual right angularflange 74 (FIG. 20).

At the horizontal juncture between sections, suitable clipmeans may beemployed to interconnect the flanges of the sections in the mannerheretofore described. In this instance, each clip means is a clip thatis generally designated by numeral in FIG. 20. Each clip 115 has theusual rearward arm 116 and forward arm 11%. The

forward arm 118 is inclined forward as shown and at its lower end isformed with a loop 120 and a terminal flange 122.

The two arms straddle the lip portion 72 of the angular flange 68 of thelower section of the two sections at the joint and the loop 120 gripsthe flange 74 of the upper section of the two sections at the joint.Positive engagement with the flange 74 is accomplished by the terminalflange 122 engaging a transverse slot 124 in the flange 74. As shown inthe bottom view in FIG. 21 the flange 74 is formed on its underside witha shallow recess 125 which leads to the slot 124 and which is of a depthto accommodate the thickness of the clip material.

Our description in specific detail of the selected embodiments of theinvention will suggest various changes, substitutions and otherdepartures from my disclosure within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

We claim:

1. In a bathroom enclosure for the interior of a building, thecombination of:

a base section having a bottom wall, a back wall and two side walls,

.a plurality of stacked sections extending the enclosure upward from thebase section with a plurality of vertically spaced junctures between thesuccessive sections,

the lower section at each juncture being formed around its upper rimwith an angular flange having a ledge portion extending substantiallyhorizontally from the upper rim and having an upright lip portionextending from the ledge portion in horizontally displaced relationshipfrom the rim,

the upper section at each juncture being formed with a lower flangearound its lower rim, the lower flange extending substantiallyhorizontally in substantially the same direction as the ledge portion ofthe lower section and resting on the ledge portion of the lower sectionat the juncture between the lower and upper section, and

resilient means engaging the upright lip portion and the ledge portionof the lower section and the lower flange of the upper section formaintaining the two sections in a fixed relationship to each other, theresilient means including a first portion C-shaped to fit resilientlyover the upright lip portion and including a second portion extendingresiliently between the ledge portion on the lower section and the lowerflange on the upper section and engaging the lower flange on the uppersection and including a third portion resiliently engaging the lowerflange portion in cooperative relationship with the second portion toretain the lower section and the upper section in fixed relationship.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said pluralityof sections has .a flange at its lower edge with spaced recesses thereinfor engagement by the second portions of the associated resilient means.

3. In a knockdown bathroom enclosure, the combination of:

a base section having a bottom wall, a back wall and two side walls,

a plurality of sections for stacking with the base section to form theassembled bath enclosure, each section of said plurality having a backwall and two side walls and being open at its front, bottom and p:

each of said sections in the plurality and the base section beingtapered along the side walls with the width of the section across thefront greater than the width of the section across the back to providefor a nesting of the sections for conventience of storage and shipmentprior to installation,

each of the sections having flange portions extending substantiallyhorizontally for engagement with the flange portions of the adjacentsection,

each of the sections in the plurality being disposed vertically inadjacent relationship to other sections in the plurality or to the basesection and each being disposed with its flange section in abuttingrelationship to the flange portions of the adjacent sections, and

means for resiliently engaging the abutting flange portions of theadjacent sections to maintain the sections in a fixed relationship.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein all of the sections aremade of a plastic material with the flange portions shaped anddimensioned to receive and support the abutting flange portions of theadjacent section, the lower flange portion of each section having aledge portion extending substantially horizontally and an upright lipportion extending from the ledge portion in horizontally displacedrelationship to the walls of the section.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein the resilient meansconstitute clips for use at the junctures of the sections in theassembled bath enclosure, each clip having a first portion C-shaped tostraddle the lip portion of the lower flange portion in the associatedsection and having a second portion extending between the abuttingflange portions of the adjacent sections and having a third portionengaging the flange portion of the upper one of the two adjacentsections and cooperating with the second portion to hold the adjacentsectins in fixed relationship.

6. The combination set forth in .claim wherein the second portion of theflange portion has a portion extending into the flange portion of theupper one of the two adjacent sections to cooperate with .the third:portion in holding the two adjacent sections in fixed relationship.

7. In a knockdown bathroom enclosure, the combination of:

a base section having a bottom wall, a back wall and two side walls,

a plurality of sections for stacking with the base section to form theassembled bath enclosure, each section of said plurality having a backwall and two side walls and being open at its front, bottom and top,

each of the sections of the plurality of sections having .a first flangehorizontally extended around its upper edge and a second flangehorizontally extended around its lower edge with each of the first andsecond flanges extending around the two sides and back of the section,the flanges being formed and disposed to provide an abuttingrelationship between the flanges of adjacent sec-tions upon adisposition of the sections in adjacent relationship,

each of said sections in the plurality and the base section beingtapered from front to back with the width of the section across thefront greater than the width of the .section across the back to providefor a nesting of the sections for convenience of storage and shipmentprior to installation, and

means for resiliently engaging the abutting flange portions of theadjacent sections to hold the adjacent sections in fixed relationship toeach other.

8. In a bathroom enclosure for the interior of a building havinginterior walls with an outer layer, the combination of:

a base section having a bottom wall, a back wall and two side walls,

a plurality of stacked sections extending the enclosure upward from thebase section with a plurality of horizontal junctures between thesuccessive sections, each of the stacked sections having a back wall andside walls and a top and bottom defined by rims,

the lower section of the two sections at each juncture being formedaround its upper rim with an angular flange having a ledge portionextending substantially horizontally from the side and back walls and anupright lip portion extending upwardly from the ledge portion inhorizontally displaced relationship to the side and back walls,

the upper section of the two sections at each juncture being formedaround its lower rim with a lower flange resting on the ledge portion ofthe lower of the two sections at the juncture in abutting relationshipto the ledge portion,

the upper rim of the uppermost section and the two front edges of all ofthe sections being formed with angular flanges having ledge portionsextending substantially horizontally from the front edges and lipportions extending upwardly from the ledge portions in horizontallydisplaced relationship to the side and back walls to mate with the outerlayer of the interior walls of the building, and

a plurality of clips spaced apart at each of said junc- 'tures, eachclip having a first portion resiliently engaging the lip portion of theangular flange of the lower of the two sections at the juncture andhaving at least a second portion extending between the abutting flangesand resiliently engaging the lower flange of the upper of the twosections at the juncture,

the lower flange of the upper of the two sections at each juncture beinglocally offset from the upper flange along at least .a portion of itshorizontal di- 10' mensions to provide clearance for the extension ofthe clip between the abutting flanges.-

9. A combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein all of the sect-ions inthe plurality and the base section are tapered from the front toward theback to nest together for shipment. p

10. A combination as set forth in claim 8 where the lower flange of theupper section at each of the junctures is formed with a recess in itsoffset portion for engagement by the second portion of the correspondingclip.

11. In a knockdown bathroom enclosure, the combination of:

.a base section having a front and a back and bottom wall, a back walland two side walls,

a plurality of sections for stacking with the base section to form theassembled bath enclosure, each section of said plurality being open atthe front, bottom and top, each section of the plurality having a backwall and two side walls,

each of said sections including the base section being tapered fromfront to back with the width of the section across the front greaterthan the width of the section across the back to provide for a nestingof the sections for convenience of storage and shipment prior toinstallation,

each of said section-s having a layer of plastic incorporating glassfibers and further having a backing layer of a different plasticmaterial for reinforcement,

each of the sections having horizontal flange portions constructed anddisposed for disposition in abutting relationship to each other upon adisposition of the sections in adjacent verical relationship, and

resilient clip means resiliently engaging the horizontal flange portionsfor holding the vertically adjacent sections in a fixed relationship.

12. In a bathroom enclosure for the interior of a building, thecombination of:

a base section having a bottom wall, a back wall and two side walls,

a plurality of stacked sections extending the enclosure upward from thebase section with a plurality of vertioa-lly spaced junctures betweenthe successive sections,

the lower section at each juncture being formed around its upper rimwith an angular flange having a ledge portion extending substantiallyhorizontally from the sect-ion and having an upright lip portionextending substantially vertically from the ledge portion inhorizontally displaced relationship to the ledge portion,

the upper section at each juncture being formed around its lower rimwith a lower flange extending substantially horizontally from thesection and resting on the ledge portion of the lower of the twosections at the juncture,

the upper rim of the uppermost section and the two front edges of all ofthe sections being formed with angular flanges having ledge portions andlip portions to mate with the outer layer of the interior walls of thebuilding,

a plurality of clips spaced apart at each of said junctures, each clipbeing C-shaped to resilient-1y straddle the lip portion of the angularflange of the lower section at the juncture and to resiliently engagethe lower flange of the upper section at the juncture, and

sealant material interposed between the two sections at each of saidjunctures, said sealant material being permanently resilient andelastic.

13. A combination as set forth in claim 12 in which the bath enclosureis a shower stall and the base section is open at the front.

14. A combination as set forth in claim 12 in which the base section isa bath tub.

(References on following page) 1 1 1 2 References Cited 1,412,912 4/1922 Bain 220-5 2, Sherron 1,574,099 2/1926 Kridler s2 s47 FOREIGNPATENTS 1,622,983 3/1927 Tracy 52-684 5 24,770 1895 Great Britain.2,087,121 7/1937 Samelow 52-27O 2,317,015 4/1943 Allen 52 547 OTHERREFERENCES 2,983,340 5/ 1961 Zi-ttle 52547 Scientific American,Plastics, January 1965, pp. 3,149,187 9/1964 Wood 52-309 26, 28.3,173,229 3/1965 Weber 52-547 3,174,256 3/ 1965 Lockwood 52547 10 FRANKL. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner. 3,182,767 5/1965 K-uehl 52-593 E 3,209,66910/1965 Bayne 52 200 JAM S RIDGILL Exammer 3 214 7 11 19 5 Manes 52 5 5R. A. STENZEL, Assistant Examiner.

